THE OPTIMISTIC FARMER-March 2026
- theoptimisticfarme
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
2026 March Edition
Tall and (Small) Tales from the Great Basin of Northeast Nevada
The weather in March is what is maddening — one day so nice you feel you have to plant, and then Mother Nature comes in and reminds us who is boss. Long story short, don't plant your tomatoes yet, no matter how tempted you may be. The good news is the Ides of March or St. Patrick's Day are said to be good times to plant potatoes here in the Great Basin. Carrots, spinach, and onions are also a go, if you haven't planted them already!
News from the garden
If you skipped winter sowing and don't have seeds started indoors yet, this month is a good time to get some started. Start small or go big — either way, March kicks off go-time in the life of a gardener. Whether you are just starting out or already a seasoned gardener, March is truly madness in the best possible way! In the "Last but Not Least" section of this edition, we talk about seeds and how deep they should be planted.
Innovations and Ideas
So, if you use lemons and you like plants, you have probably wondered what you can do with the seeds. Turns out you can grow them! Put them in a container as you get them and soon you will have great-smelling lemon leaves for the kitchen, bathroom, or outside if it's warm enough. If you continually add seeds as you get them, you will get sprouts at different intervals, ensuring a constant supply. If they get too big, put them in a container of their own or share with a friend.
Inner Work
Going to the gym or exercise classes is undoubtedly a great way to improve your health, but did you know that your everyday activities are also great exercise? Take going to the store — you get your steps as you peruse the aisles. Opportunities for lifting and stretching abound as you reach for and load your goods into the cart. Don't forget weightlifting — someone has to carry the bags to your car and into the house, and lastly you get another set as you put them all away. Suck in your abs and work on your posture while doing it all, and you are well on your way to a light workout.
Plants in Science:
An interesting concept in gardening is looking at bio-indicators. Much like a runny nose can indicate a cold coming on and send a message that your body needs to rest or drink more fluids, an invasion of certain plants in your garden may indicate an abundance or deficiency in a particular nutrient.
For instance, nettle indicates an abundance of nitrogen in the soil, but if you see clover growing, your soil is telling you it needs more nitrogen. Remember to look for four-leaf clovers in a clover patch! Dandelions, the much-misunderstood plant, are a sign of compacted soil or calcium deficiency. An overgrowth of moss may indicate acidic soil, while lamb's quarters may be telling you your soil is alkaline. Anyway, you get the idea — instead of using chemicals to eradicate an unwanted plant, simple adjustments to your soil's chemistry can just as easily solve these issues as they arise and help you become more aware of what your soil is communicating about its needs!
Last, but Not Least: Seed Planting Depth, it's a thing!
Seeds, like people, will usually perform better when placed in a conducive environment for reaching their full potential. That being said, different seeds do better when planted at the proper depth. The handy chart below can be helpful, and most seed packets will also give you guidance. Precision with a ruler is not required, unless you enjoy precision and using a ruler. So, if you are planting potatoes this month, go deep — it is recommended to plant them 4 inches deep. Carrots and radishes, on the other hand, can be covered with a mere half inch of soil. Happy planting!
Another helpful tip to keep in mind in the coming months: limit disturbing your soil too much or consider no till gardening. Turning up soil almost always activates dormant seeds, many of the unwanted kind, so as you are planning where you want to plant, take into consideration how much area you are disturbing and only turn up the dirt where absolutely needed. Did I mention happy planting?
@the_optimistic_farmer
Comments